Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother
Chapter 463: Strict Justin

Chapter 463: Strict Justin

The next day, James and Caryn had already arrived at the Imperial City. The couple came to see Natalie, who was once more chilling with Julia.

"Grandma, is he going to make me stay home like this always?" Natalie asked in a complaining tone.

"Aren’t you overthinking?" Julia asked. "Is he the kind of man who wouldn’t support his wife in her work and career? Ask yourself."

Natalie knew it well that Justin was not that kind of man, but the boredom of sitting at home was getting the better of her. Justin had warned her strictly not to go to the office or anywhere that could exhaust her.

"He’s just worried about you now that you’re pregnant," Julia said. "After the first trimester is over, I’m sure he’ll allow you to do whatever you want."

"The way he acts these days, so strict with me all the time, it seems unlikely. It feels like my old Justin is lost somewhere, and what is left behind is a dictator, not a husband," Natalie complained as she frowned in displeasure.

Julia laughed at her reaction and said, "Your parents are coming here."

"Have they returned?" Natalie asked.

Julia hummed. "James finally has introduced Caryn to our entire family, formally. He even took her to some business parties."

"My father is kind of showy when it comes to his wife," Natalie chuckled. "He can’t wait to introduce everyone to his wife."

Just then, the servant informed, "Madam, Mr. and Mrs. Harper are here."

The couple entered the home. This time, Natalie saw her mother walking inside the home instead of coming in the wheelchair. James, walking by her side, was careful in case Caryn needed his support. It was good to see her like this.

"Oh, you are able to walk without support now?" Julia said with delight.

"I am trying to," Caryn replied politely.

Natalie could see her arrogant mother was now turning a little soft, and she was especially soft and respectful towards Julia always. She realised her mother must like the old woman a lot.

Before sitting on the sofa, Caryn handed over a small shopping bag to Natalie. "This is for you."

Though surprised, Natalie accepted it and looked inside the bag. "A gift for me?"

Caryn hummed and sat on the sofa.

Natalie pulled out a beautiful jewelry box and opened it. There was a beautiful bracelet in it, which had a very significant tiny pendant attached to it. It was shaped like a woman holding a baby.

"It’s beautiful," Natalie said and pulled it out to put it on her wrist. Caryn, who was sitting next to her, offered to help, seeing her daughter’s struggle to hook it.

Natalie accepted the help and looked at Caryn, who used to do these things for her when she was a kid. Memories from the past surfaced in her mind—when, in her eyes, her mother was the best person in the world. She wished they were like before, but things still felt distant, though she had now started to call her "mother."

Julia praised the gift as well and said, "It’s like a protection for a mother and her babies. You should always wear it."

Natalie hummed and looked at Caryn. "Thank you... Mom."

Caryn simply hummed and said, "You should take better care of yourself."

Just then, Justin arrived at the drawing room, as he was talking about something with the butler, and the servants had started to move some things around.

"What’s happening?" Natalie asked him just as she reached them.

"We are shifting our room downstairs," Justin informed.

"What? But why? I like our room," she asked.

"During your pregnancy, you are not allowed to climb the stairs," he replied. "More like, you literally run the stairs."

"Aren’t you overdoing it?" she asked, clearly displeased with his decisions these days that were against her will. "Those are just a few stairs, not a mountain."

"We are moving. That’s final," he replied in a serious tone.

Natalie gritted her teeth and looked at James. "Dad, can I move to your home? I might just suffocate here under his dictatorship. He won’t even let me go to the office. I hate idling around."

James stayed quiet for a while, then looked at Justin, who was overly serious and not willing to give up. "Maybe you should listen to Justin. He is just looking out for you."

"Dad... you are the same as him," Natalie said angrily. It was the first time she talked with James this way, without any formalities or hesitation. She was just his daughter.

James smiled, as he liked it. But he could see pregnancy was making her cranky.

Natalie turned to Caryn. "Mom. You were working when you were pregnant with me. Will you tell this man I am pregnant and not sick, for him to behave this way?"

Caryn looked at her calmly. "These months of pregnancy are precious. You should rest and enjoy all the pampering you receive from everyone. Back then I wished there was someone to look after me but...." she stopped, "You are fortunate to have us all. Once you give birth, you are free to work as much as you want. No one’s going to stop you."

Natalie sighed as her mother sided with Justin and looked at Julia, who had the same opinion.

Natalie folded her hands in front of her chest and looked at Justin. "I don’t like what you are doing and how everyone is by your side. I don’t want to be confined to home."

"Then you should have taken good care of yourself when I was asking you after your bone marrow donation, but all you did was behave like a superwoman," Justin countered, his tone and gaze serious. "You have to take care of your body, and now you have two babies who are going to weaken your body further. Better rest than let me scold you for your recklessness this time."

As Justin said it, she could say nothing. She was indeed ignorant back then; the doctor had even warned her that she might harm her body more.

"We have to go for the doctor’s visit," Justin said. "Get ready. Your things are moved to the second guest room downstairs."

Natalie quietly stood up and went to the room.

Julia looked at him. "Justin, you can tell her this nicely as well."

"If I am nice, she won’t listen anymore. You know well how stubborn she can be when things won’t go her way," Justin said in a serious tone and stood up. "I am taking her to the hospital," he added, and walked away.

Julia observed him walking away and said, "Is something wrong with him these days? He has been like this since he returned from the Eastern country."

"If he is being strict with Natalie, then there must be his reasons and concern," James said. "He is not the kind to cage someone."

"Or he is just possessed by Aeldric Riverdale," Julia commented and looked at Caryn. "What are you thinking?"

"Maybe she has not recovered entirely after donating me her bone marrow?" Caryn sounded a little guilty and concerned. "I remember those days—all she was doing was fighting against the Fords, alone."

"Don’t blame yourself," James said. "I am sure she is fine."